Wofford notebook: Terriers turn to Lawson

Saturday

Dec 8, 2012 at 12:01 AMDec 9, 2012 at 12:44 AM

Third-string quarterback provides a spark in loss to North Dakota State

By TODD SHANESYtodd.shanesy@shj.com

FARGO, N.D. — Once again, the Terriers turned to James Lawson at quarterback.The former third-stringer who became the starter down the stretch in a Southern Conference championship season, found himself on the end of the Wofford bench again Saturday in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs.Lawson, the walk-on from Pickens High School, entered the game late in the third quarter for Brian Kass and Michael Weimer, who have been suffering through injuries and haven’t contributed much since October. And yet it was Lawson who provided a spark to the offense, guiding the Terriers down inside the 10-yard line twice in the fourth quarter of a 14-7 loss to top-ranked North Dakota State in the Fargodome.“James knows what he is doing,” Wofford running back Eric Breitenstein said. “To get thrown into that situation with all that pressure is a big deal. He handled it.”Wofford had a 39-yard run by Breitenstein on the first play with Lawson at the reigns, then he made a perfect pitch to Brad Nocek to pick up a fourth-and-6 at the 19-yard line. On the next possession, with time running out, Lawson threw a 24-yard pass to Jeff Ashley to get the Terriers across midfield.“It’s not as big of a deal anymore,” Lawson said. “The guys have confidence in me to do the job. I was ready all day long.”Tackle machineNorth Dakota State junior linebacker Grant Olson was credited with 29 tackles, six solo and 23 assists, which was the most by any player on the NCAA Division I level since 2005. Olson broke the school record of 26 tackles by Ken Clark in 1989.“I guess I’m still a little bit at a loss for words,” Olson said. “It was a lot of fun. I’m so proud of this team. Coach told us to leave our hearts out there and that’s what we did.”Olson came in as the team’s leading tackler with 108. His season high was 15 in the only loss of the season, 17-14 Oct. 13 against Indiana State.Playing hurtWofford junior all-conference linebacker Alvin Scioneaux, who suffered a hamstring injury last week against New Hampshire and hadn’t practice since, started and had five tackles, including a sack.“I watched a lot of film to get mentally ready,” Scioneaux said. “It was more important to get rest and get treatment than to get reps on practice. I was focused on getting healthy. … I was OK as long as I kept it stretched out and kept it warm. I couldn’t sit too long. I just kept moving. “Even when we came off the field as a defense, I kept moving around.”Home cookin’The Fargodome is one of the loudest venues in all of college football and that’s one of the reasons North Dakota State has won 21 of the past 24 home games.Wofford had to go to a silent snap count and the noise contributed to several penalties, including a pair of false-start flags on three plays in the second quarter.“When people say it’s a difficult place to play, they’re not kidding,” Wofford head coach Mike Ayers said. “… Maybe we can play these guys again someday, I don’t know, maybe down there in Sparkle City, where the people will be yelling for us.”